*Please note that the ISC website will be available on *August 24, 2026* at 10:30am EST.*
This Challenge Notice is issued under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) Call for Proposals 004 (EN578-24ISC4). For general ISC information, Offerors can visit the ISC website at: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/home
Please refer to the Solicitation Documents Innovative Solutions Canada Program Call for Proposals – 004 - Tender Notice | CanadaBuys https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/… which contains the process for submitting a proposal.
Here are a few things you need to know before you get started on your application to this challenge:
1. This challenge is only open to receive proposals for Phase 2 (prototype development) of our Challenge Stream.
- Proposed solutions that fall within technology readiness level (TRL) 5 and 9 can be submitted to this challenge:
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovative-solutions…
2. We recently made changes to the Challenge Stream; we have outlined the new parameters:
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovative-solutions…
Steps to apply:
Step 1: Read this challenge.
Step 2: Read the Call for Proposals : https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/…
Step 3: Propose your solution here : https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=h…
Challenge title: MINERVA Initiative – Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Uncrewed Air System
Challenge sponsor: Department of National Defense (DND)
The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Army (CA) requires an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) that is domestically produced, easy to operate and maintain, and adequately rugged to enable the Canadian soldier to successfully fight and survive on the future battlefield.
Challenge sponsor:
Department of National Defense (DND)
Funding mechanism:
Contract
Opening date:
August 24, 2026
Closing date:
September 21, 2026, 14:00 Eastern time
Challenge
Problem statement
The Canadian Army (CA) soldier will face an increasingly complex and dangerous battlespace in the future. A major element of complexity and danger is the proliferation of multi-spectral sensors and precision weapons that will limit the CA’s ability to conduct intelligence gathering, surveillance, and close reconnaissance without the risk of being targeted and attacked. The CA presently lacks a UAS capable of conducting short-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The CA seeks an innovative UAS capable of providing aerial day/night reconnaissance and surveillance. This innovation must be simple, durable, and highly survivable, providing soldiers with an effective capability for future conflicts that integrates seamlessly into operations while minimizing training and maintenance requirements, allowing soldiers to focus on their mission.
Desired outcomes and considerations
Essential (mandatory) outcomes
The proposed solution must:
1. Be composed of an:
a. Air vehicle: The airframe containing the onboard electronics, propulsion, and payload.
b. Sensor payload: The equipment required for navigation and to complete a mission, such as cameras or imaging systems.
c. Ground control station (GCS): The system (laptop, tablet, or handheld controller) used by the human operator to control flight and manage missions.
d. Radio: The wireless system that connects the GCS to the UAS to transmit commands and receive telemetry/data.
e. Battery with charger: A battery for the uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) and a battery charger capable of charging multiple batteries simultaneously.
f. Remote antenna: An external antenna placed 100m away from the GCS to enhance signal strength, reduce interference, and extend operational range.
2. Operate in various weather conditions. At a minimum:
a. Operate in a temperature range of -20°C and +40°C;
b. Operate in wind speed of up to 40 km/hr; and
c. Operate in light rain or snow 0.5mm/m²/hr.
3. Have both a minimum operational radius of 6km and a minimum endurance of 60 min in continuous movement.
4. Have a sensor that enables the operator to recognize a target at a minimum distance under the following conditions:
a. Day – Person (180cm) at 0.5km, Vehicle (5m x 3m x 2m) at 1km
b. Night – Person (180cm) at 0.25km, Vehicle (5m x 3m x 2m) at 0.5km
5. Have vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability in a maximum area of 2m².
6. Be stowable in a 70-litre pack.
7. Be capable of operating at a minimum operational altitude of 1000 feet Above ground Level (AGL).
Additional outcomes
The proposed solution should:
1. Be deployable from a stowed state to mission-ready state in 10 minutes or less. This includes the completion of all pre-mission preparation activities, including but not limited to unloading vehicle, loading/fueling the power system and loading/configuring mission set, resulting in a vehicle that is fully mission-ready such at the line of departure.
2. Have a maximum takeoff weight of 5kg.
3. Emit no more than 5 decibels Sound Pressure Level (dB SPL) of noise in all frequency ranges, measured at a 500m distance from the UAS.
4. Be capable of operating with fibre-optic wire, or other non-Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum means.
5. Return to a pre-determined location, hover/loiter, and/or climb in case of loss of link.
6. Have an aggregated projected production cost of $40,000 CAD or less per system.
7. Have a Ground Control Station (GCS) that:
a. Incorporates a simulation capability for Mission Planning.
b. Has a minimum remote antenna cable length of 50m.
c. Enables UAS navigation via both direct operator control and autonomously using waypoint navigation via the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
d. Displays the following information:
- Location of vehicle in 6 figure Military Grid Reference System (MGRS);
- Orientation of vehicle (pitch/roll/yaw);
- Point of aim of camera in 6 figure MGRS;
- Real-time full motion video feed;
- Altitude in Metres above Sea Level (MSL); and
- Battery life.
e. Is capable of interfacing with the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) battle management system to push UAS Position Location Information (PLI) and target PLI.
8. Have an alternate non-electric or hybrid power system capable of sustained operation beyond battery power (i.e. a gas-powered system or a gas/electric hybrid power system).
9. Demonstrate capacity in having its critical components produced and sourced in countries within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance, NATO Partners or Major Non-NATO Allies . To achieve this, Offerors are requested to provide as an attachment to their proposal, a list identifying the solution's critical components, the country of production and sourcing for each component.
Critical components and requested information for each critical components are defined in the table below:
Critical components
1. Radio
2. Ground control station (GCS)
3. On-board computer
4. Any software
Requested information
i. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM): Name of the original equipment manufacturer of the product that is being sourced
ii. OEM URL: Provide the URL of the OEM
iii. Software: Confirm if developed by Offeror or outsourced
iv. Product name: Provide the OEM’s product name
v. Model number: Provide the OEM’s model and/or version number of the product
vi. Product URL: Provide the URL of the OEM product, model, and version.
vii. Country of origin
Background and context
The CA is undergoing a generational modernization effort to address the evolving nature of technology, the changing character of conflict, and the unravelling of the geopolitical system. The transformative changes being made are conceptually described in the CA publication Inflection Point 2025. This document provides the broad context for modernization and directs the development and acquisition of key systems. It states: Key to this transformation is the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, autonomous and uncrewed systems. These capabilities will support a wide range of functions, from intelligence analysis and predictive modeling to targeting and operational execution.
The CA, in recognizing this need, has purchased foreign robotics and autonomous systems of varying quality and has identified challenges purchasing systems that meet operational requirements, particularly related to cold-weather operations, and components that originate from stable supply chains. Furthermore, past procurements have been constrained by limited manufacturing capacity of industry partners.
To address this, the Government of Canada’s recently released policy Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, emphasizes the need to develop a strong domestic industrial capacity to produce defence materiel. This policy directs the Canadian Army to seek solutions to operational problems through Canadian industry, which will both improve the CA’s capability while providing the foundation of a strong defence industrial base able to scale production of quality defence material.
To date, engagements with Canadian industry have revealed a wide variety of small/medium companies that have commercial technologies that could, with support, be tailored to military requirements.
Maximum contract value and travel
Phase 2
· Maximum funding: $500,000.00 CAD
· Project duration: Up to 15 months
· Estimated number of contracts: 5
This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to award any contracts for the total approximate funding. Final decisions on the number of Phase 2 awards will be made by Canada based on factors such as evaluation results, departmental priorities, and availability of funds. The Government of Canada reserves the right to make partial awards and to negotiate project scope changes.
Note: Selected companies are eligible to receive one contract per phase per challenge.
Travel
Travel to Suffield, Alberta for prototype demonstration
